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UNU-WIDER Review of Development Economics Special Issue: Climate Change and Economic Development

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A teenager wears torn rubber boots in a muddy local market in Bac Ha, Viet Nam. As of 2005 figures, half the world population—more than 3 billion people–is estimated to live on less than USD 2.50 a day. Bac Ha, Viet Nam. UN Photo/Kibae Park.

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Review of Development Economics Special Issue: Climate Change and Economic Development

Review of Development Economics
Review of Development Economics Special Issue: Climate Change and Economic Development
The roots of development economics lie in the study of large-scale phenomena such as economic transformation. Climate change, as a global phenomenon, is drawing the attention of the profession back towards studies of transformational processes, including new considerations of adaptation and low-carbon development. From the perspective of low-income countries, the most immediate research need is to obtain an adequate understanding of climate change impacts and their implications for countries’ development strategies.


The studies in this special issue of the Review of Development Economics represent the vanguard of research into the impacts of climate change and associated adaptation strategies. The special issue includes case studies for five developing countries: Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia. While the details vary by country, each case study adopts a similar interdisciplinary approach. To rigorously assess impacts of climate change for a given country, one must first identify a series of likely climate trajectories. These climate projections are then translated into biophysical outcomes, such as river flow, crop yields and flood probability. Finally, multi-sectoral biophysical impacts must be translated into economic outcomes. To achieve this, a series of interlinked modelling frameworks are brought to bear, including models of climate, water, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and the economy. This integrated modelling framework provides a complex but decomposable approach to rigorously considering the implications of climate change and identifying potential, robust strategic responses.

Publisher:
Wiley-Blackwell
Journal:
Review of Development Economics
Volume:
16(3)
Title:
Review of Development Economics Special Issue: Climate Change and Economic Development
Authors:
Guest Editors: Channing Arndt, Paul Chinowsky, Ken Strzepek, Finn Tarp, and James Thurlow
Publication date:
August 2012
Copyright holder:
© Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Copyright year:
2012
Project:
Development strategy and climate change / Climate change and mitigation policy
Format:
online and printed copies
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